Playa del Carmen Villa Rentals

The best place to stay in Playa del Carmen depends solely on the experience you wish to have. The downtown beach zone is perfect if you’re looking to be close to the action, with several options for nightlife, dining, and shopping. In addition, you’ll experience pristine turquoise waters, an abundance of activities, and incredible accommodations.

However, for a quieter, more relaxed setting, you may want to look into one of the gated communities in the area. Playacar offers proximity to town but with the bonus of being safe and secluded within its gates. Here, you’ll have the option between Playacar Phase 1 and Playacar Phase 2. Phase 1 is tucked away at the south end of Playa del Carmen, mainly beachfront residential homes and a few small hotels. Phase 2 is a more extensive gated section consisting of houses, condos, all-inclusive hotels, a prestigious golf course, a bird aviary park, and a small shopping center.

For an even more secluded feel, travel a few minutes north of Playacar to Residential Corasol. This residential community gives you elite vacation status with a resort community and a private residential enclave. It is a luxury with an excellent 18-hole golf course, a private beach club, a world-class spa, pools, an owners club, an adventure park, and various eateries.

Keep traveling north, and you’ll find Playa Paraiso and Playa del Secreto. Both of these areas offer exclusive gated communities with private, tranquil surroundings. You’ll find breathtaking pristine beaches, clear turquoise waters, and lush green jungle merging gracefully with the spectacular real estate. This area is ideally suited for those who wish to embrace the natural surroundings while still being a short drive away from Playa del Carmen’s restaurants, shopping, activities, and nightlife

Yes! Playa del Carmen is perfect for a family vacation. Families often choose Playa del Carmen for its stunning natural beauty and countless entertainment options. The beaches are pristine with gorgeous crystal clear, turquoise waters and gentle waves. Children can swim, snorkel, and boogie board for hours while parents indulge in some relaxation time on a hammock or under a palapa.

Some villas are set on their semi-private beach and even include complimentary family gear, beach toys, snorkeling equipment, boogie boards, paddleboards, and kayaks. Depending on where you choose to stay, your community might also have its private playground, sports courts (tennis, volleyball, basketball), or an entire adventure park complete with ziplining, climbing walls, and a skate park. If you need a night out without the kids, most villas offer the added optional service of childcare/babysitting.

There’s always something to do in Playa del Carmen, no matter how old your children are. All you need to do is speak with your concierge for assistance in scheduling the perfect outing. Your concierge will not only offer suggestions but will help ensure your adventures are organized flawlessly. Among the most popular activities in the area are snorkeling tours and swimming with the sea turtles or dolphins. Families also enjoy exploring the Mayan ruins, parasailing, or swimming in the many freshwater underground cenotes in the area. There are also various jungle tours you can embark upon, such as Aktun Chen. You can choose between ziplining through the jungle, rappelling off a cliff, or even the daring sky-cycle.

For an all-day affair, there are plenty of spectacular theme parks in the area, such as Xcaret or Xel-Ha. Xcaret is an expansive 200-acre eco-park that gives you a taste of everything the Yucatan offers. It’s fun and educational all at the same time. While it focuses on Mexican and Mayan culture, you’ll be immersed in native wildlife with tropical jungle trails and plenty of water-based activities. Underground rivers and Snuba (think snorkeling and scuba diving combined) are just a few.

Xel-Ha is an all-inclusive eco-waterpark with a network of crystal clear rivers, where the jungle meets the Caribbean sea. You can snorkel or explore underwater caves, cenotes, and mangroves on a double inner tube. There are also plenty of land activities such as jungle paths, zip lines, and a waterslide.

Mexico has nearly 6,000 miles of coastline, with some of the best beaches in and around the Playa del Carmen area. Considered the gateway to the Riviera Maya, the Playa del Carmen stretch of beaches is renowned for its clear, turquoise waters and sun-bleached, powdery sand.

Being the first beach developed in the city, Central Playa del Carmen Beach is worth mentioning first. It is the perfect combination of fun and breathtaking beauty. With its white sand beautifully contrasting the bright blue hues of the water, it is extremely inviting. Here, you’ll find the ferry dock to Cozumel in addition to various beach clubs, restaurants, bars, dive shops, and water sports vendors.

It’s a lively and popular place, perfect for those who enjoy partying on the seashore. North Playa del Carmen Beach is next to Central Playa del Carmen Beach. It is known for its trendy beach clubs, fantastic food, large beachside pools, and music. You’ll find DJs, dancing, and beach beds with vibrant, fun days and quiet evenings here.

Going north from Playa del Carmen, you’ll discover Playa Punta Esmeralda. This small but charming bay is picturesque with lush vegetation and a freshwater cenote that flows right into the sea. Its warm, shallow, crystal clear water is perfect for swimming. There are no beach clubs, just the hypnotizing blue hues of the water.

South of Playa del Carmen, you’ll find Playacar Beach, which is a gorgeous beach. Because it is part of the gated Playacar residential area, this beach is quiet, clean, and picture-perfect. Being generally better managed than most other public beaches, you’ll find that seaweed is rarely a problem. It is typically cleaned early in the morning before you even set out your towel. The wide beach highlights sugary sand with bright water that always seems clearer and bluer than the water closer to the center of Playa del Carmen. It is very serene, with palm trees lining the coast and no public beach restaurants or clubs.

Keep heading south toward Tulum, and you’ll find the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The road trip from Playa del Carmen is well worth traveling for this exquisite protected ecosystem. The beaches are raw, unspoiled, and will completely blow you away. With miles of undeveloped coastline, you’ll experience the beach as it stood during the days of the Maya. With no vendors or facilities, the entire area is the exact definition of peace.

Cancun and Playa del Carmen are both trendy vacation destinations. While one is not better than the other, they offer somewhat different experiences. Cancun is a massive city with more than 600,000 inhabitants, while Playa del Carmen is a relatively smaller town with 150,000 inhabitants. Both destinations are family-friendly. However, Cancun is more prevalent among younger tourists, spring breakers, and those seeking vibrant nightlife. In Cancun, you will find more options for shopping centers, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs compared to Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen has recently grown in popularity as a trendy destination with a small-town charm. It’s a tranquil city that is clean and well-kept, attracting the more sophisticated tourist as well as families who wish to escape some of the hustle and bustle of significant city life. While Playa del Carmen still has fantastic nightlife options, it incorporates a more stylish vibe with fashion shops, art galleries, and incredible fine dining. In Playa del Carmen, there is undoubtedly something for everyone, especially with nearby Mayan ruins, freshwater cenotes, jungle tours, and theme parks.

In Cancun, tourists generally spend their days basking in the sun at an all-inclusive resort while heading out to experience the clubs and bars at nighttime. Playa del Carmen features beautiful boutique hotels, elegant condos, and luxurious private villas with some options for all-inclusive resorts. If you’re interested in reaping the rewards of an all-inclusive resort while embracing the best in nightlife, Cancun is the perfect place. However, for a more relaxed, eclectic destination with plenty to explore, Playa del Carmen will be more your style.

One of the most famous attractions in Playa del Carmen is the main shopping street, Fifth Avenue, or La Quinta. It runs for approximately 5 kilometers through the town, although it is continually expanding and getting longer. The beginning of La Quinta is at Paseo del Carmen, located at 10th Avenue and 1st South Street. Running parallel to the coastline, the Street is almost entirely a pedestrian walkway, where no bicycles, skateboards, or other forms of transportation are allowed.

There are three different shopping malls along Fifth Avenue that offer international brands. Paseo del Carmen is at the very beginning and is home to big brands such as Lacoste, Bershka, Pull & Bear, ZARA, Old Navy, and many others. Calle Corazon is a unique square on Fifth Avenue at 12th Street with stores such as H&M, Steve Madden, Calvin Klein, and Sephora. Walking along Calle Corazon, you’ll also find the fantastic Playa del Carmen Aquarium. The third shopping mall, Quinta Alegria, can be found on Avenida Constituyentes. This mall is a high-rise shopping plaza with Forever 21, American Eagle, Lacoste, Studio F, Levi’s, and Victoria’s Secret stores.

Walking a short distance from Paseo del Carmen, you’ll find Parque Fundadores on Fifth Avenue and Juarez, right next to the Cozumel Ferry Pier. This gorgeous seaside sculpture park is one of the original areas of Playa del Carmen and is rich in Mexican and Mayan culture. It is a must-see, especially with the stunning El Portal Maya sculpture and the Nuestra Senora del Carmen Chapel. Here, you can catch a cultural show, indulge in snacks sold on the Street, and spend time with family on the children’s playground.

As you continue along Fifth Avenue, you’ll encounter what can only be described as a shopping paradise. You’ll find many restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, shops, boutiques, jewelry stores, perfumeries, spas, museums, and art galleries to suit every taste and budget. One of the most attractive things about La Quinta is that there is always something new and different depending on the time of day. The mornings are typically quiet and peaceful, making it a fantastic place for a delicious breakfast and a coffee.

By noon, the restaurants and shops become alive, making it the best time to walk, shop, enjoy a street show, or grab some ice cream. By nighttime, the area is full of entertainment with various street performers, clubs, bars, restaurants, and performances. At 12th Avenue, you’ll find a wide range of nightlife for the young and old, from small bars serving Mezcal to large clubs with three floors of dancing.

There are technically no hours of operation for Fifth Avenue as many of the shops are independently owned. However, as a general rule, you can expect things to be open from 10 am through 10 pm, even on major holidays such as Christmas and New Year.

When you visit Playa del Carmen, you’ll undoubtedly encounter an abundance of sun, ocean breeze, and tropical heat. Therefore, you’ll want to pack some sunscreen with an average of 340 glorious days of sunshine per year. The tropical climate provides heat and sun year-round. However, there is a regular rainy season and a dry season. The dry season lasts from November to February. The heat gradually increases during March, April, and May, leading to the rainy season. From June to October, the rainy season brings hot weather with high humidity and rain. In addition, the months of June to November (especially from August to October) get the chance of a hurricane.

Remember that the weather in Playa del Carmen is subject to rapid changes. Even if the forecast calls for rain daily, it does not always mean it will rain. In addition, the percentage of rain could be low. However, rain showers in Playa del Carmen are typically heavy and fleeting. This means that while the skies may appear very dark and ominous, the storm usually passes as fast as it arrives. Due to favorable winds in the area, it’s common to experience heavy downpours and thunder, returning to clear skies and sunshine very quickly afterward.